Coupler



E. P. KINNE July 9-, 1935.

COUPLER Filed Sept. 11, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I lmdPlfmmg E. P. KINNE Jul 1935.

COUPLER Filed Sept. 11, 1931 s Shts-Sheet 2 July 9, 1935.

E. P. KINN E COUPLER Filed Sept. 11, 1951 s sheets-sheet 5 Patented July 9, 1935 we I 7 2,007,452 foourmn Edmund '1. ane, malia, one; 'a ssignor a,

American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a cor-- a poration of New Jersey Application September-11, 1931, Serial No. 562,225

' 2 1 cl ims; j(o1. 213-151) The present invention relates to coupler devices, and more particularly to the formation of coupler contours pertaining to the A. R. A. standard No. 10 contour, and the like. i

' Amongthe objects of the'present invention is to provide a coupler contour adapted to effect well defined results not obtainable with the existing' coupler contours and heretofore unknown; Atthe present time the existing contour lines are determined preliminarily by standard requirements as to thedesired horizontal and vertical angling of the couplers. 'Under'existing practice, however, it has been found that, although the standard vertical anglingbetween couplers'is substantially ideal for practical purposes, the

coupler contour provided for effecting such' re-' sults leads to undesirable free slack between cooperating couplers, which slack; in a'fltrain of substantial length and comprising a large number of cars, is objectionable, undesirable, and uncontrollable. i

" It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide 'a novel meansfor decreasing the amount of free slack, yet at the same time maintaining; the acceptable standard, vertical angling between couplers; J In an embodimentselect'ed to illustrate theinvention, such results are effected by providing curved tapered portions'on the front face of the knuckle, such tapered portions being adapted to cooperate with the face of an adjacent coupler head, constructed in accordance with themesent invention, for providing the desired vertical angling. The providing of curved tapered portions has the further advantage of disposing curved rounded edges of the knuckle for contacting engagement with the face of the opposing coupler head,

thereby preventing gouging and wear to said face.

The invention further includes the idea of 7 providing a contour for a coupler face whereinthe cross-sectional area thereof varies increas- 'ingly from theguard armofthe 'coupler'head to 'adjacent' the ears thereof, thus distributing additional metal at the-most advantageous point to prevent and'eliminate breakage at this most critical portion of the coupler head construction Another object within the purview 'ofthe invention is to provide a knuckle having tapered portions cooperating with the inclined or angularly disposed face of an opposing coupler formed as above indicated foridecreasing'slack, yet al'-' lowing for the standard vertical angling there between, .such tapered portions increasingly varyidea of providing a coupler arrangement where in opposing couplers are provided with relatively movable knuckles and have their contours so formed that the pulling faces are in contacting engagement when the couplers are in buff, whereby the knucklesare not subjected to any tend- 10 ency to rotate" inwardly of the head which otherwise results in excessive wear and an accumulation of free slack. The solid contactsbetween the pulling faces of the knuckleswhile the cou- I plers are in buff further has the advantage of distributing the bufiing stresses overthe entire coupler faces, thereby lessening the breakages through the coupler front faces; It has also been found that under maximumhorizontal angling of couplers the now standard requirement ofapproximately 15% degrees is excessive and that from 8 to 10 degrees is'quite sufiicient. o The invention therefore has as an additional featurefthe idea of forming the contour of the heel of the knuckle, as likewise the ears of the coupler head, so as to cutdown the excessive horizontal angling of opposing couplers'and to further effect an increase in the sectional area and strength of the hub of the knuckle and coupler ears. o

1 With these and variousother objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in'the specification, claims and drawings appended hereto, V In the drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of'the device and wherein: like reference characters are used to designate like parts showing the 'same in buff; 7 Y

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the couplers of Figure 2 and disclosing the same in a horizontally angled position; Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sec- PATENT. CE; T;

tional view through the opposing couplers of Figure 2 and disclosing the same in a vertically angled position;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a coupler construction embodying a different coupler contour made in accordance with the present invention, the dotted lines indicating the corresponding A. R. A. contour;

Figure 7 is a topplan view of opposing couplers incorporating the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, and disclosing the same in draft;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary horizontal crosssectional view of the opposing couplers shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, and disclosing the same in bufiing relation; 1

Figure 9 is a fragmentary top plan view of the opposing couplers disclosed in Figure 7v of the drawings, and showing the same in a horizontally angled position; Y

Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view through the opposing couplers shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, and disclosing the same in a vertically angled position; and

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view in cross-section of a car coupler made in accordance with. the disclosure in Figures 6 to 10 inclusiveof the drawings. 7

Referring now more in detail to the drawings,

and more in particular to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the present invention is shown in connection with a couplerconstruction having a contour substantially correspondingwith the contour of a standard A. R. A. coupler, but varying therefrom for effecting new and different results, as will be more clearly brought out hereinafter. The A. R. A. coupler contour referred to in this specification and the claims is the No. 10 contour as shown in Figure 2528 on page 886 of the Car Builders Cyclopedia, 1931 edition. Referring to Figure 1, the standard A. R. A. coupler contour is shown-inv dotted lines as being formed in part by the coupler head 2 and in part by the knuckle 4. This contour is shown as originating in the end 6 of the guard arm-a of the coupler head 2, and extending therefrom in a substantially straight line. H) to merge with a curved portion I 2 of the front face I4 of the coupler head, the contour. of V the front faceof the coupler being shown in this standard A. R. A. contour in dotted lines merging into the coupler contour formed by .the knuckle; 4,.as at Hi. The contour of the standard A. R. A; knuckle is as shown in.this figure, the contour forming the pulling face l8 of the knucklenose, the face of the knuckle 20 and the heel'or back of the knuckle 22.

As hereinbefore indicated, the present invention contemplates the idea, of providing a contour which not only strengthens the front face of the coupler. but at the same time decreases the free slackbetweenop posing couplers. Further, the invention includes the idea of decreasing the horizontal angling. permitted between opposing couplers, thereby making it possible to increase the strength of the knuckle and coupler head through. the knuckle hub and ears thereof,

respectively. I

As shown in Figure 1, the proposed contour for effecting these new and different results coincides with the contour of the standard A. R. A. coupler. at the end of the guard-arm, as likewise along the front face In of the guard'armf This new contour, however, departs from the old contour, as at 24, and extends, as, shown ,in,,the

full line, substantially parallel to the front face M, as at 26, and merges with the old contour adjacent the knuckle at Hi. It will be seen that the new proposed contour adjacent the face of the coupler is disposed forwardly of the old contour, thereby effecting new results as will later be more fully explained.

The new contour for the knuckle 4 conforms with the standard A. R. A. knuckle contour from the point IS around the nose and front face of the knuckle to a point 28 at the intersection of the surface of the face and heel or back of the knuckle. The new contour then flares outwardly in an increasing amount in a rearward direction, as at 30, to. form the surface of the new back of the knuckle or heel providing for the increased cross-sectional area between the points '32 and I6, or what is termed the hub of the knuckle, the ears (not disclosed) of the coupler head at this point being likewise flared to correspond substantially with the contour of the knuckle.

It will be seen from the above description, that the forward disposition of the new contour of the face of the coupler, as at 26, provides for an increase of metal through this face, thereby tightening the contour between the coupler-face and the nose of the knuckle 4. This provision, of course, decreases the amount of free slack permitted between opposing couplers, and likewise would decrease the amount of vertical angling of these opposing couplers. In order to provide for the standard amount of vertical angling between opposing couplers, that has heretofore existed, the face 20 of the knuckle 4 is provided with curved tapered portions 34 adjacent the upper and lower edges thereof, the tapering being substantially of the same magnitude as the increase of metal to the front face of the coupler. The invention comprehends the idea of providing these curved tapered portions, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, so that the edges 36 of the knuckles are in spaced relation with the cooperating front face 26 of an opposing coupler to eliminate and prevent any possibility of gouging of this face which would otherwise occur when the knuckles are in their maximum vertically angled position, as shown in this figure. When these knuckles are in their maximum vertically angled position as shown in Figure 5, the

opposite edges of the knuckles are in substantial contact, as at 40.

The outward disposition of the surface 30 of the back of the knuckle or heel relative to the surface 22 of the knuckle heel of a standard A. R. A. contour decreases the 7 amount of horizontal angling permitted between opposing couplers, as will be appreciated from the disclosure by reference to Figure 4 of the drawings. The outward disposition of the surface of the knuckle heel at this point further increases the strength of the knuckle through the hub thereof, this portion of the knuckle being a critical or crucial point in the. coupler construction.

In Figures 6 to 11 inclusive, isdisclosed a modified form of the present invention'varying from the present standard A. R. A. coupler as will be pointed out more fully hereinafter. As shown in Figures 6, 8 and 11, a coupler made in accordance with this modified form of the invention is shown superimposed upon the contour of a standard A. R. A. coupler shown in dotted lines and formed with the contour above described and shown in Figure 1 of thedr'awings, thereby more clearly depicting the variations between the new coupler contour and the contour now existing-in a standard A. RLA. coupler construction. a The standard A; R. A. contour, as previously indicated, is shown as'originating at the end of the guard-arm 8 of a coupler head 2, this contour extending along the faceof the guard arm as at lllwhich merges with the "curved portion I2 of the face [4 of the coupler head 2, thecontour of the face l4 extending around and merging ata point 16 with the contour formed by the knuckle 42. The contour of the knuckle 42 extends from the point l6 around the nose of thevknuckle toform the Spulling face" old contour at this point and extending angularly.

relative to'the front face I4 to form the front face 54 forwardly disposed relative to. the face. 14 and merging with the oldcontour again at the point I6. -The contour of the knuckle 42 conforms with the standard'A. R. A. contour from the point IS-around the nose of the knuckle to the point 48, and then diverges or flares increas- V ingly from this point relative to the surface 50 of the knuckle heel to form the back of the knuckle or heel surface 56, this flaring being in a substantial nature .the same .as the flaring shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

That part of the coupler contour of the present embodiment formed by'thei coupler head varies from thecorresponding contour shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, in that the front face 54 is formed so as to provide for additional material varying in width or thickness from the point 52 adjacent the guard'arm to a point EBadJacent the knuckle 42 relative to the contour formed by the face I4 of the standard A. R. A. coupler face.

This particular provision has the added advantage over the heretofore disclosed embodiment because of the fact that an increasing amount of material is provided, at the. point 58, thereby effectively increasing the cross-sectional area through the front face of the coupler and decreasingbreakage at this point which, experience has taught, is a critical point in the construction of the coupler head.

As in the previous embodiment, the free slack between opposing couplers is decreased by this additional material, andin'orderto provide for the-standard-amount of angling between'these couplers; the knuckle 42 isbeveled as at 64. Be-

cause of the fact that the front face 541s angue larly disposed, it is necessary to increasinglyvary the depth or .width of the tapered portion 6! from a point 48 toward the guard arm 8.

.In the present embodiment, asclearly shown 7 in Figure 11 of the drawings; the'knuckle'42 is mounted in the coupler head 2 so as to have an amountof backlash A between a look (not shown) engaging. locking face 43 of the tail 45 and the wall M of the coupler head 2.' Because of this backlash which provides limited angular movement of the knuckle relative to the head, the

knuckle in draft will assume the position shown in full lines inFigure 11. of the drawings, and

whenin cooperative buffing relation with a mating knuckle willangle in the coupler head to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 11, thereby having" substantially solid; contact with the mating knuckle when in buffing relation therewith and the front face of the opposingcoupler.

As clearly shown in Figure '8 of the drawings, the movement permitted by the knuckles 42 in cooperation withthe'angular disposition of thecoupler faces 54 effects contacting engagement or solid contacts between the pulling faces ofthe opposing knuckles when these couplers are in buff. This solid contact between the noses of theknuckles and the buffing faces of the knuckles withthe front. face, 54 of the coupler head effectively causes a more uniform and wider distribution ofthebufiingforces to the couplerconstructions; The tendency, therefore, is to eliminate or practically do away with breakage through the front faces of the coupler heads,

. thereby resulting in a substantial decrease in the cost of operation, maintenance and replacement.

As in the'previously referred to embodiment, the

addition of material to the back of. the knuckle orheel, as at 56, causes a decrease in the permitted horizontal angling between opposing couplers,as likewise an increase in the strength of the knuckle through'the hub thereof and the increase in strength of the ears of the coupler head.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of thedevice shown, which is merely-by way of illustration. and

not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing :from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

Iclaim: 7

1. In a coupler arrangement, the combination of opposing couplers each having a coupler head anda knuckle adapted to be disposed in engaging relation, and means providing for engagement between the pulling faces of said knuckles when eachof said knuckles is inbuffing engagement with the coupler head'of an opposing coupler.

2. In a coupler arrangement, the combination of opposing couplers each having a coupler head and a knuckle having limited angular movement therewith when in locked position, each of said couplers having the knuckle and head so formed and arranged as to effect movement of said knuckles to provide engagement between the pulling faces of said knuckles when each of said knuckles is in buffing engagement with the coupler head of the opposing coupler.

3. In a coupler construction, the combination of a coupler head,a knuckle, and'means for effecting engagement between the pulling face of said knuckle and the pulling face of a'mating knuckle when said second-named knuckle is in buffing engagement with said'coupler head.

- 4. In a coupler construction, the combination of a coupler head, and a' knuckle having limited angular. movement therewith when in locked position, said knuckle and the front face of said coupler'head being so constructed and arranged in spaced relation that the pulling face of a mating knuckle is adapted to have complete engagement with the pullingface of said first-mentioned knuckle when the mating knuckle is in complete buffing engagement with said front face.

5. In a. cou'plerarrangemcnt, the combination of opposing couplers each having a coupler head increased amount of vertical angling between said couplers.

6. In a coupler arrangement, the combination of opposing couplers each having a coupler head and a knuckle adapted to be disposed in engaging relation, means providing for engagement between the pulling faces of said knuckles when each of said knuckles is in buffing relation with the coupler head of the opposing coupler, each of said coupler heads having a front face normally spaced from the knuckle thereof to permit a limited amount of vertical angling between said opposing couplers, and means on the face engaging portion of the knuckles to permit an increased amount of vertical angling between said couplers. 7. In a coupler arrangement, the combination of opposing couplers each having a coupler head and a knuckle adapted to be disposed in engaging relation, means providing for engagement between the pulling faces of said knuckles when each of said knuckles is in bufling relation with the coupler head of an opposing coupler, each of said coupler heads having a front face normally spaced from the knuckle thereof to permit a limited amount of relative longitudinal translatory movement and vertical angling between said opposing couplers, said knuckles having portions of the face engaging portion thereof so disposed as to permit an increased amount of vertical angling.

8. In a coupler arrangement, the combination of opposing couplers each having a coupler head and a knuckle having limited angular movement therewith when in locked position, each of said coupler heads having a front face normally spaced from the knuckle thereof to permit a limited amount of relative longitudinal translatory movement and vertical angling between said opposing couplers, each of said couplers having the knuckle and head so formed and arranged as to effect movement of said knuckles to provide engagement between .the pulling faces of said knuckles when the same are in buffing relation with the front face of the opposing coupler, and means providing for an increased amount of vertical angling between said couplers.

9. In a coupler arrangement, the combination of opposing couplers each having a coupler head and a knuckle having limited angular movement therewith when in locked position, each of said coupler heads having a front face normally spaced from the knuckle thereof to permit a limited amount of relative longitudinal translatory movement and vertical angling between said ope. posing couplers, each of said couplers having the knuckle and head so formed and arrangedas to effect movement of said knuckles to provide engagement between the pulling faces, of said knuckles when the same are in buffing relation with the front face of the opposing coupler, and means on the face engaging portion of the knuckles to permit an increased amount of vertical angling between said couplers.

10. In a coupler arrangement, the combination of opposing couplers each having a coupler head and a knuckle having limited angular movement therewith when in locked position, each of said coupler heads having a front face normally spaced from the knuckle thereof to permit a limited amount of relative longitudinal translatory movementand vertical angling between said opposing couplers, each of said couplers having the knuckle and head so formed and arranged as to effect movement of said knuckles to provide engagement between the pulling faces of said knuckles when the same are in buffing relation with the front face of the opposing coupler, said knuckles having portions of the face engaging portion thereof so disposed as to permit an increased amount of vertical angling.

11. In a coupler construction, the combination of a coupler head, a knuckle, means providing for engagement between the pulling faces of said knuckle and a mating knuckle when in buffing relation, .said coupler head having a front face normally spaced from said first-named knuckle to permit a limited amount of relativev longitudinal translatory movement and vertical angling of said'mai ing knuckle between said face and said knuckle, and means providing for an increased amount'of vertical angling.

12. In a coupler construction, the combination of a coupler head, a knuckle, means providing for engagement between the pulling faces of said knuckle and'a mating knuckle when in buffing relation, said coupler head having a front face normally spaced from said first-named knuckle to permit a limited amount of relative longitudinal translatory movement and vertical angling of said mating knuckle between said face and said knuckle, and means on the face engaging portion of the knuckle to permit an increased amount of angling.

13. In a coupler construction, the combination of a coupler head, a knuckle having limited angular movement therewith when in a locked position, said coupler head having a front face normally spaced from said knuckle to permit a limited amount of relative longitudinal translatory movement and vertical angling of a mating knuckle between said face and said first-mentioned knuckle, said coupler having a knuckle and a front face so disposed and arranged in spaced relation that the pulling face of a mating knuckle is adapted to have complete engagement with the pulling face of said first-named knuckle when the mating knuckle is in complete buffing engagement with said front face, and means providing for an increased amount of vertical angling.

14. In a coupler construction, the combination of a coupler head, a knuckle having limited angular movement therewith when in a locked position, said coupler head having a front face normally spaced from said knuckle to permit a limited amount of relative longitudinal translatory movement and vertical angling of a mating knuckle between saidface and said first-mentioned knuckle, said coupler having a knuckle and a front face so disposed and arranged in spaced relation that the pulling face of a mating knuckle is adapted to have complete engagement with the pulling face of said first-named knuckle when the mating knuckle is in complete builing engagement with said front face, and means on the face engaging portion of the knuckle to per mit an increased amount of angling.

15. In a coupler construction, the combination of a coupler head, a knuckle having limited angular movement therewith when in a locked position, said coupler head having a front face normally spaced from said knuckle to permit a limited amount of relative longitudinal translatory movement and vertical angling of a mating knuckle between said face and said first-men- P tioned knuckle, said coupler having a knuckle and a front face I so disposed and arranged in spaced relation that the pulling face of a mating knuckle is adapted to have complete engagement with the pulling face of said first-named knuckle when the mating knuckle is in complete bufling engagement with said front face, said knuckle having portions of the face engaging portion I thereof so disposed as to permit an increased amount of vertical angling.

16. In a coupler construction, the combination of a coupler head, and a knuckle-mounted in said coupler head, said knuckle and coupler head being so constructed and arrangedthat'the pulling face of a mating knuckle is adapted to have complete engagement with the pulling face of said first-named knuckle when the mating knuckle is in complete bufling engagement withsaid coupler head.

1'7. In a coupler construction, the combination of a coupler head, and a knuckle, said knuckle being of such a construction and so mounted in said coupler head" that the pulling face of' a mating knuckle is adapted, to have complete engagement with the pulling face of said firstnamed knuckle when the mating knuckle is in complete buffing engagement with said coupler head.

18. In a coupler construction, the combination of a coupler head, and a knuckle mounted in said coupler head, said knuckle and coupler head being so constructed and arranged and said knuckle being so mounted in said head that the pulling face of a mating knuckle is adapted to have com-- plete engagement with the pulling face of said first-named knuckle when the mating knuckle is in complete buffing engagement with said coupler head. 1 V V v 19. Ina coupler construction, the combination of a coupler head, and a knuckle mounted in said coupler head, said knuckle and coupler head being so constructed and arranged that the pulling'face of a mating knuckle is adapted to have complete engagement with the pulling face of said firstnamed knuckle when the mating knuckle is in complete buffing engagement with said coupler head, said coupler head having a front face normally spaced from said first-named knuckle to permit a limited amount of relative vertical angling of said mating knuckle between said face and said knuckle, and means providing for an 'increased'amount of vertical angling.

20. In a coupler construction, the combination of a'coupler head, and a knuckle, said knuckle being of such a construction and so mounted in said coupler head that the pulling face of a mating knuckle is adapted to have complete engagement with the pulling face of said firstnamed knuckle when the mating knuckle is in complete buffing engagement with said coupler head, said coupler head having a front face normally spaced from said first-named knuckle to permit a limited amount of relative vertical angling of said mating knuckle between said face and said knuckle, and means providing for an increased amount of vertical angling.

21. In a coupler construction, the combination of a coupler head, and a knuckle mounted in said coupler head, said knuckle and coupler head being so constructed and arranged and said knuckle being so mounted in, said head that the pulling face of a mating knuckle is adapted to have complete engagement with the pulling face of said first-named knuckle when the mating knuckle is j in complete buffing engagement with said coupler head, said coupler head having a front face normally spaced from said first-named knuckle to permit a limited amount of relative vertical angling of said mating knuckle between said face andsaid knuckle, and means providing for an increased amount of vertical angling.

EDMUND P. IGNNE. 

